Can I represent myself in Pennsylvania courts?

Yes you can, if you are a natural person, i.e. a human being, you can represent yourself. This is called “pro se” representation. However, in most cases, you cannot represent a company with which you are associated. An exception to this is representation of companies in proceedings in Magisterial District Courts where a shareholder or officer or partner may represent a company. Also, an employee of the company or authorized agent who has personal knowledge of the facts of the case may represent the company if authorized in writing by an officer or partner of the company.

Melvin C. McDowell, Attorney at Law in law library at Bedford County Courthouse

My Bio

I live in Everett, Bedford County, Pennsylvania and am a member of the Bedford County Bar Association and the Pennsylvania Bar Association.

I concentrate my practice in general litigation, including commercial and business cases. I also have experience in insurance and personal injury litigation, as well as employment and discrimination litigation, estate litigation, guardianship proceedings, trademarks, and zoning. I also have handled state court and federal court appeals. In fact, I have more than 24 years of civil litigation experience.

Before commencing my legal career, I served as a Revenue Officer with the Internal Revenue Service where I was awarded the IRS Special Achievement Award. I also served as an Intelligence Officer in the U.S. Navy with Airborne Early Warning Squadron VAW-123.

I received my Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the Pennsylvania State University and my Juris Doctorate from Temple University.

I am admitted to practice in all the state courts of Pennsylvania, as well as the United States District Courts for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and the Western District of Pennsylvania. I am also admitted to practice before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

Reported Cases

The following are cases with published opinions where I was counsel for one of the parties:

Disclaimers

Posts and comments on this blog are only for general educational purposes. None of my posts or comments on this blog should be construed as giving legal advice. For reasons of simplicity and easy understanding, posts may omit discussion of exceptions or qualifications which may be relevant to the reader’s particular circumstances. Similarly, any links to legal resources from this website are for general educational purposes only and may not be up to date at the time you read the linked information. You should not rely upon such for legal advice.

You are not my client and we have not created an attorney/client relationship unless I have provided you a written engagement agreement which you have signed and returned to me, and I have acknowledged the receipt of such document.

Any comments appearing on this blog which are not my own should not be construed as representing my opinions. Furthermore, my allowing comments by others on this blog should not be construed as my agreeing with or endorsing such comments.